Did you know that the American classic Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was once banned in the United States? Twain’s book is one of the most-challenged of all time and is frequently challenged even today for being “racially insensitive,” “oppressive,” and “perpetuating racism.”

There are numerous examples of banned books throughout the decades, and the UC San Diego Library is celebrating the power and freedom to read by participating in the nationally recognized Banned Books Week this fall. Events at UC San Diego draw awareness to censorship while highlighting the value of free and open access to information. Join us at the following events, learn more and share your opinions!

Live Read Out Event, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 11:30am-2pm in front of Geisel Library near the Silent Tree. Participants have the chance to read excerpts from banned books and record a video of their reading. We’ll have banned books on-hand to browse, freebie give-aways, and you can listen to other readings and learn more about banned books.

Fahrenheit 451 Film Screening, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 5:30pm, Seuss Room, Geisel Library. Ray Bradbury wrote this futuristic and controversial book in 1953. The novel presents a future American society where books are outlawed and “firemen” burn any that are found. The title refers to the temperature that Bradbury understood to be the autoignition point of paper. That same year a middle school in Irvine, CA utilized an expurgated version of the text in which all the “hells” and “damns” were blacked out. Other complaints have said the book went against objectors religious beliefs. Join us for a film adaptation of this classic novel as we explore the controversy of this American novel.

Mid-September through the end of October exhibits will be on display in various locations of Geisel Library and Biomedical Library Buildings. Exhibits feature items from our collection and information about banned books, censorship and intellectual freedom. This year’s national Banned Books Week theme is graphic novels, and we’re featuring information on the Comics Code and banned comics, as well as banned books across the decades and twice-banned books. Movies made from banned books, medical and science banned books, the early history of banned books, and banned and censored 19th and 20th century literary classics are also showcased in these displays.